On 22nd July, 2019, Lok Sabha passed The Right to Information (Amendment) Bill, 2019 which aims to amend the Right to Information Act, 2005. The Bill proposes to give the Central government power to set the tenure and salaries of State and Central Information Commissioners.
Salient Features
RTI Act, 2005 |
RTI (Amendment) Act, 2019 |
Term for CIC and ICs was 5 years. |
Government will notify term. |
The salary of the CIC and ICs will be equivalent to the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners respectively. |
These will be determined by the government |
Arguments Supporting the Amendment
RTI act 2005 |
Central Information Commission (CIC) |
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Criticism of the Amendment
It may compromise independence of the office of Information Commissioners.
Conclusion
In order to ameliorate the criticisms of the amendment, it is of paramount importance to subject it to a parliamentary standing committee and have constructive debate and discussion on the amendment.